Noemoria

Racial exclusion: ancestry is not worth

The Latter-day Saint priesthood and temple restrictions ending in 1978, examined through Individuality and Connection.

Sourced study · By Noemoria
Published · Updated

From evidence to responsibility

Evidence status
Established
empirical claim · practice claim
What must change
Ancestry and race must never determine spiritual worth, participation or authority. Reform must preserve the record of who was harmed and why change became necessary.

The documented practice

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints acknowledges that, from the mid-nineteenth century until 1978, Black men of African descent were excluded from priesthood ordination and Black men and women from temple endowment and sealing ordinances. It now disavows theories used to justify those restrictions. Source 1.

Its account also records earlier ordinations of Black men and membership open to people of every race. This was not a uniform ban on all participation throughout the church’s history. The end of the restrictions is a material change that a fair account must preserve.

Why the Gifts are harmed

Noemoria rejects ancestry as a measure of spiritual worth. Individuality is dishonoured when inherited classification determines a person’s standing. Connection is wounded when shared faith admits a person while denying them participation because of race.

Reform matters. It does not make the earlier exclusion harmless, nor does the earlier exclusion justify blaming every present member.

The standard for Noemoria

Ancestry must not determine access to community, learning or responsibility. If our own practices create unequal treatment, we must examine them, record the correction and listen to those affected.

Conclusions and limitations

The institution acknowledges the restrictions and their ending. Noemoria rejects ancestry as a measure of spiritual worth; this is its ethical judgment.

Limits of this study

The source is the institution’s retrospective account, checked on 21 September 2026. It acknowledges the restrictions but is not a substitute for independent historical work or the testimony of those who lived under them. The historical acknowledgment and Noemoria’s ethical judgment are distinct parts of this study.

Sources and further reading

  1. Race and the Priesthood

    The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints · primary source · Accessed 21 September 2026

Noemoria’s answer

The Noemorian view

Ancestry cannot measure sacred worth. Every life already belongs within the Divine; no racial boundary can divide that belonging.

Noemoria affirms equal sacred worth and belonging, whatever a person's ancestry. Entrusted responsibilities require relevant competence and accountable conduct. Boundaries that protect people from harm must address conduct, never race or descent.

Judge Noemoria by the same standard

Any Noemorian practice that produces unequal standing by race or descent must be suspended, examined with those affected and corrected in the public record.

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